Minimalism in web design

One of the key trends we’re seeing in web design is a minimalist approach. Less is increasingly more, and a clean and uncluttered site will help your business stand out from the crowd. So what are the main elements of minimalist web design?

Flat design

Flat design eliminates artificial three dimensional design techniques such as textures, gradients and shadows in favour of a classic design style featuring lots of white space, a focus on typography, two dimensional illustrations and strong bright contrasting colours. In short, flat design is crisp and contemporary. Opting for flat design can future-proof your website for longer, as flat design stands the test of time more easily.

Breaking it down

Stripping away every non-essential element of the site might seem dramatic, but by thinking about what’s essential and functional on the site, a reductive approach can result in a highly focused site. As a rule of thumb, removing elements to the point where the site is on the verge being non-usable lets you know that it’s minimalist enough.

Typography and content

The content should be stripped down to provide the most essential information for users, along with strong calls to action. Typography can be used as a striking design feature, and should be bold, clean and contemporary. Create a typeface theme and remain consistent throughout the site, without mixing serifs.

Usability

Remove the clutter but make sure the site is easy to use. Minimalism can backfire when attention to visual hierarchy is lost and the user doesn’t know where to go.